§ MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that deer forests in the Highlands are at the present time overrun with foxes, that crofters living in townships adjoining these forests suffer considerable loss in consequence, and what steps will be taken to deal with the matter?
§ MR. CAMERON CORBETTIs it not the case that it is the general practice of the owners of deer forests to offer a reward for the destruction of foxes; and are they not practically becoming extinct in other deer forests except those belonging to Mr. Winans?
§ SIR W. PEARCE (Plymouth)Is it not a fact that these mountain foxes subsist on grouse, ptarmigan, and blue hare? Is there not in connection with all large deer forests an official known as the fox hunter, whose duty it is to hunt the fox in the summer time with terriers, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that nothing disturbs deer stalking more than moving foxes?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANMy attention has been called to an article in The Highland News stating that the Master of Blantyre, Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, and between 80 and 90 proprietors, sheep-farmers, and others have signed an engagement binding themselves to use every possible means to destroy and keep down foxes. I have a private letter from a well-known and much-esteemed Highland proprietor, Mr. Duncan Darroch, in which he tells me that he and most of his neighbours give a bonus of 10s. a head for foxes and 5s. for cubs, and that the trapping is incessant and effective. There is no call for Government interference. For the information 1079 of English County Members I may say there is only one pack of fox hunters north of the Forth.
§ MR. WEIRIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently three foxes were killed by passing trains between Auchnashellach and Strathcarron?
§ MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)Mr. Speaker. Is it in Order to introduce long narratives in the form of questions?
§ MR. WEIRWill the right hon. Gentleman remit the gun licences of the crofters and cottars living in the vicinity of deer forests for a certain period, so that they may destroy these vermin?
§ MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question, unless the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to answer it now?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI know that in all sheep-farming districts the question of foxes must be a serious one, but as we have clear information of a general local movement on the part of proprietors and farmers I think we may leave it to them to deal with this question.